The genealogy of Adam and Eve is recorded in the fifth chapter of Genesis, the Book of Beginnings.
“Adam’s life lasted 930 years; then he died. Seth’s life lasted 912 years; then he died … Enosh’s life lasted 905 years; then he died… Kenan’s life lasted 910 years; then he died… Mahalalel’s life lasted 895 years; then he died… Jared’s life lasted 962 years; then he died” (Genesis 5:6–20). They lived long lives, and they died!
The next entry, the seventh generation, contains the history of Enoch. “Enoch was 65 years old when he fathered Methuselah. And after he fathered Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and fathered other sons and daughters. So Enoch’s life lasted 365 years. Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him” (Genesis 5:21–24). Unlike his forefathers, Enoch didn’t die.
The New Testament confirms the Old Testament’s genealogical record (Luke 3:37-38) and gives testimony to Enoch’s great faith. “By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away. For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God. Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:5–6).
In the only other New Testament reference to Enoch, Jude reports that Enoch was a prophet who foretold of Devine retribution against sin. “It was about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied: ‘Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way’ ” (Jude 14–15).
Enoch lived in an increasing evil world (Genesis 6:5), a world overcome with death, but Enoch had an intimate and personal relationship with God. By faith, “Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him”(Genesis 5:24).
What was it like when “God took him”? How did it happen? Was he raptured, “caught up… to meet the Lord in the air”(1 Thessalonians 4:17)? Was it a pre-enactment of what occurred on the Mount of Ascension, when Jesus “was taken up as (the disciples) were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9)? The details of Enoch’s translation from earth to heaven remain a mystery.
Here's what is important… Just like Jesus, Enoch’s body didn’t decay in the grave!
So, if we want to experience life-after-life, we must follow Enoch’s example. Let’s “walk with God.”
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
Comments